Biomechanical evaluation of conventional anulus fibrosus closure methods required for nucleus replacement. Laboratory investigation.
OBJECTIVE
Nucleus replacement implants became increasingly attractive as an alternative to fusion, discectomy, or total disc replacement. The goals of nucleus replacement are to restore disc height and flexibility and to preserve the anatomy. However, implant extrusions have been reported and are the major concern. In this study the authors investigated different conventional surgical methods for anulus closure: suture alone, and fibrin glue and cyanoacrylate glue, alone and with suture.


METHODS
The in vitro testing was conducted using 30 lumbar spinal segments obtained from calves. In each specimen, an incision was made; the nucleus was removed and subsequently replaced by a collagen matrix. The incisions were treated with anulus closure methods in 5 groups of animals. Flexibility was assessed in a spine tester. Subsequently, specimens were exposed to cyclic fatigue loading by using a hydraulic loading frame. Specimens were excentrically loaded in sine waveform up to a maximum of 100,000 cycles with 4-24 Nm at 5 Hz while being rotated at 360 degrees/minute.


RESULTS
Removal of the nucleus caused a significant loss of stability. The segmental stability could be restored after the implantation. Fatigue testing indicated that suturing was able to sustain 3400 cycles. Fibrin glue failed earlier than cyanoacrylate glue. Both combinations (suture with glue) provided longer stability to the anulus closure.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggested that closing the anulus incision with suture or fibrin glue alone might not be appropriate. The authors found that the best method was cyanoacrylate glue with suture. Although this method provided the longest duration of closure, it could not sustain the maximum number of fatigue cycles. Conventional methods could improve the outcome compared with using no closure. Nonetheless, the authors' findings highlight the demand for an appropriate anulus reconstruction method or device with good long-term reliability.
Heuer
Frank
F
Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, University of Ulm, Germany.
Ulrich
Sina
S
Claes
Lutz
L
Wilke
Hans-Joachim
HJ
D000818:Animals; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002417:Cattle; D003094:Collagen; D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000601:surgery*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants
D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D003094:Collagen